The study project was begun in 1971 at a communal maternity hospital in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The aim was to follow a series of newborn infants considered to be at risk for later handicaps and impairments. The purpose was to study children with signs and symptoms of minor neurodevelopmental dysfunctions, minimal brain disorder (MBD) as it was called at the time. The extent to which perinatal events contribute to the occurrence of these impairments was evaluated by repeated assessments up to the age of nine years. A neurodevelopmental screening examination at the age of five years was used for identifying children with impairments, and it was found to predict school problems at the age of nine.
The children in the study series were born in 1971-74 at the Institute of Midwifery, Helsinki Finland. About 6000 infants were born there yearly, accounting for approximately 10% of the birth rate for the whole country. The neonatal risk factors comprised low birth weight, asphyxia, jaundice, hypoglycemia, severe respiratory problems, neurological symptoms, septic infections, and maternal diabetes. All newborn with low Apgar scores were included. The study group totaled 1196 children, 5.4% of the 22217 live births in 1971-74.
Around 200 infants with the predefined risks died during the first years of life or were found to suffer from severe sensory deficits, cerebral palsy or mental retardation. They were excluded from further follow-up.
The development of the children was followed at child health centers at first months and years of life. At five and nine years the children were invited to clinical follow-ups and 862 were assessed at one or both occasions.
A control group of around 60 children born in uncomplicated deliveries at the same maternity hospital has been followed from the age of 5, and around 110 additional children from the age of 9 years. Also, around 30 twin siblings of those in the risk cohort have been followed since birth as controls.
Follow-up continued at 16 and at 30 years of life. Currently the cohort has reached 40 years of age and all are being invited to clinical assessments. Recruitment is still ongoing, close to 600 subjects have consented to participation.
The children in the study series were born in 1971-74 at the Institute of Midwifery, Helsinki Finland. About 6000 infants were born there yearly, accounting for approximately 10% of the birth rate for the whole country. The neonatal risk factors comprised low birth weight, asphyxia, jaundice, hypoglycemia, severe respiratory problems, neurological symptoms, septic infections, and maternal diabetes. All newborn with low Apgar scores were included. The study group totaled 1196 children, 5.4% of the 22217 live births in 1971-74.
Around 200 infants with the predefined risks died during the first years of life or were found to suffer from severe sensory deficits, cerebral palsy or mental retardation. They were excluded from further follow-up.
The development of the children was followed at child health centers at first months and years of life. At five and nine years the children were invited to clinical follow-ups and 862 were assessed at one or both occasions.
A control group of around 60 children born in uncomplicated deliveries at the same maternity hospital has been followed from the age of 5, and around 110 additional children from the age of 9 years. Also, around 30 twin siblings of those in the risk cohort have been followed since birth as controls.
Follow-up continued at 16 and at 30 years of life. Currently the cohort has reached 40 years of age and all are being invited to clinical assessments. Recruitment is still ongoing, close to 600 subjects have consented to participation.